NORTHSIDERS TO SHOWCASE TALENT AT STATE SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR

BY CAITLIN MCARTHUR

Northsiders will be performing in no small number at this year’s State School Spectacular.

Students from Collingwood College, Northcote Primary School, Northcote High school, Parkville’s University High school, Brunswick Secondary College, and Princes Hill Secondary College are set to showcase their talents in this year’s extravaganza.

Sarah Pace and Alexa Mackey are just two of the Northsiders who will be performing in the show, joining 3 000 students from 200 State Government Schools from across Victoria.

Sarah is a rapper and one of 30 other lead vocalists in the Spectacular. A Coburg resident who attends Brunswick Secondary College, this will be her third year participating in the event.

Music has been a passion for Sarah for a few years now.

“Ever since a young age I’ve always loved to sing. I started singing lessons in grade five, so ten years old and it was just something I loved to do,” Sarah said.

Rapping, she says, is appealing because it allows her another way to express herself, outside of singing.

A chance for students to experience the entertainment industry, on-stage or in behind-the-scenes management, audio and lighting positions, Sarah says she would encourage any student with an interest in the arts to get involved.

Attending rehearsals “pretty much every weekend” is a big commitment, but one she says is manageable.

Living close to the rehearsal space helps, but her family is a big part of her juggling a busy schedule.

“I’ve got a very musical family…they’re really supportive and they encourage me to do big things. They help me to achieve my goals.”

Sarah Pace

This might be her third time at the Spectacular, but Sarah says the pre-performance butterflies will still be there.

“I think it’s a normal thing to get nervous, it would be bad if you didn’t…it’s quite a big audience and with the cameras and everything, everyone gets a bit nervous, but I think it’s a good thing.”

Alexa, or Lexi as she prefers to be called, has a similar take on nerves on the night.

“Nervous and excitement together, you use your nerves to make you sing great.”

In year six at Northcote Primary School, Lexi will be performing as a part of the Mass Choir, joining 1299 other kids from across Victoria.

It’s her first year joining the choir, but she’s no stranger to the stage.

Lexi is also a part of the Australian Girls Choir and has had an interest in singing since she was very young.

“I think I took it from my sister when she was little.”

Lexi had to do three auditions to secure her place in the choir and wasn’t so sure she had the spot after being passed by early on.

“I missed out on the second one [audition] and managed to make it through on the third one, which was a bit of a shock.”

Enjoying the opportunity to make new friends and stretch her vocal chords on stage, Lexi says she’s planning on a spot in next year’s State School Spectacular as well.

The Northsider is a monthly community newspaper made for the inner north of Melbourne by the inner north of Melbourne. It is powered by citizen journalism and publishes articles written by people who live and work in Collingwood, Fitzroy, Northcote, Preston, Brunswick, Coburg, Carlton, Parkville, North Melbourne and nearby suburbs. We distribute to all of those areas too, plus more. If you would like to contribute please see the details on the submissions tab. It’s also free (we mean priceless)

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